Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Televangelist And The Architect - There’s A Song In There Somewhere
Televangelist And The ArchitectThere’s A Song In There Somewhere
Label: Undetected Plagiarism
Rampant with artistic flair, these slightly droll folk rockers force out a slurry of simple yet downtrodden melodies and meandering story lines for us to follow.
• The Televangelist And The Architect WebsiteVarious Artists - Made In Iceland
Various ArtistsMade In Iceland
Label: Iceland Music Exporrt
Perhaps the chill weather of January makes you think of Iceland. If so, this compilation showcases 15 rising Icelandic stars. Quirky indie overtones pervade, but a nice overview of offerings for sure.
• Various Artists WebsiteCasanatra - Death Ride
CasanatraDeath Ride
Label: Blue Worm Records
Two guitars and a drummer from St. Paul blasting out plush, post-grunge, groovy hard rock complimented with multiple melodic vocals and warm fuzzy tones. This band sounds better all the time!
• Casanatra WebsiteFrom The Inside - Visions
From The InsideVisions
Label: Blistering Records
Heavily influenced by his recent acoustic slot opening for Journey, this studio brainchild of Danny Vaughn (ex-Tyketto) is overflowing with well written, well produced, radio friendly, melodic rock.
• From The Inside Website • From The Inside WikiJoe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate - Seventy Five (75)
Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul SyndicateSeventy Five (75)
Label: Heads Up
Deep reaching double live disc recorded in Lugano, Switzerland culminating the 75 year career of Joe Zawinal who passed on Sept 11, 2007. This world music with a smooth, intricate and innovative jazz backbone also highlights a wide variety of performers and instruments with wide reaching influences.
• Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate Website • Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate WikiLadysmith Black Mambazo - Live! (DVD)
Ladysmith Black MambazoLive! (DVD)
Label: Heads Up
The amazing harmony acapella vocals of this group have been heard the world over for over 30 years. Filmed in Akron, Ohio in 2008 this DVD puts recent faces to the voices. 14 songs plus an in-depth interview with the group’s founder, leader and musical director Joseph Shabalala.
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo Website • Ladysmith Black Mambazo WikiLarkin Grimm - Parplar
Larkin GrimmParplar
Label: Young God Records
Elements of folk, electronica and ultra eclecticism race like wildfire to stoke the pyres of originality and imagination with astounding results. Her ribald lyrical whit slaps the listeners as sharply a whip and the rhythms worm deliciously into your brain. A real wild one!
APPEARING LIVE 2/17 at The Frequency in Madison; 2/19 at Stonefly Brewery in Milwaukee; 2/20 at Turf Club in St. Paul, MN.
• Larkin Grimm Website • Larkin Grimm WikiMerlot - Insipid Emaciation
MerlotInsipid Emaciation
Label: Barbarian Records
With drum beats so fast I had to laugh, this bleak black metal vision, spewn from some undisclosed Illinois location, buzzes and hums with discordant maneuvers of rhythm, tension and noise. The vocals are choked, scraped and scourged against the manic noise-scape tundra and left to fend for themselves. Wow.
Sugar Red Drive - Sugar Red Drive
Sugar Red DriveSugar Red Drive
Label: Self Released
As this young band heartily strives to dip into the commercial hard rock pop mélange, they have fashioning a non descript sound featuring post Seattle style vocal crooning and an unimpressive set of sappy rhythms and grooves that get gummed up with overproduction and lack of originality. Sugar overdose?
• Sugar Red Drive WebsiteSteven Halpern - Relaxation Suite
Steven HalpernRelaxation Suite
Label: Inner Peace Music
Sound and vibrational healing techniques were pioneered by Halpern, the worlds leading composer of healing and relaxation music. This time he has chosen to funnel the healing energy mostly through a piano, with a number other choice instruments woven in. Blissful.
• Steven Halpern Website • Steven Halpern WikiVolbeat - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
VolbeatGuitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Label: Mascot Records
A Danish group that has refined their Misfits meets Pantera musical style to include a stronger punk-a-billy attitude with more gang vocals while still maintaining their hep cat swagger and stance. Slick, resourceful and fun.
• Volbeat Website • Volbeat WikiAl Conti - Scheherazade
Al ContiScheherazade
Label: Shadowside Music
Utilizing the legendary tales of 1001 Arabian nights is a sure bet for a theme and Conti supports the legends with ambient Middle Eastern musical structures while embellishing his work with exotic instruments and captivating arrangements. Escape to another world.
• Al Conti Website • Al Conti WikiView More
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